2009

IRI ANNOUNCES STAFF PROMOTIONS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Insured Retirement Association (IRI) announced promotions today for Jason Berkowitz and Paul Richman in recognition of their leadership efforts and growing responsibilities.

Berkowitz will be the Chief Legal and Regulatory Affairs Officer and Richman will be the Chief Government and Political Affairs Officer.

“Paul and Jason are exceptional advocates on behalf of IRI and our members and have consistently delivered results to advance our industry’s agenda before federal and state policymakers,” said Wayne Chopus, IRI President & CEO.

Berkowitz joined IRI in 2012 and has most recently served as Vice President and Counsel, Regulatory Affairs. He has provided leadership and support for IRI member company priorities in the state and federal regulatory and legislative arenas and works with member company representatives to develop effective government affairs and compliance programs that meet their business needs. He also has assumed greater responsibility of the association’s legal oversight duties.

Richman joined IRI in 2015 and has served as Vice President, Government Affairs to lead the association’s federal and state legislative advocacy initiatives and the organization’s political outreach efforts through its federal political action committee. He has enhanced the industry’s reach and credibility with lawmakers and advanced IRI’s federal retirement security legislative agenda.

Richman has 33 years of experience working in both government and the private sector including two other trade associations. He also served in senior policy making positions in the Clinton Administration at the White House in the Office of the Vice President and at the U.S. Department of Labor. Before that, Paul served as the Special Counsel for Economic Development to former New York Governor Mario M. Cuomo.

Berkowitz is a seasoned insurance industry legal and regulatory professional having worked for Hartford Financial Services Group for several years and had stints at two law firms.

“Jason and Paul are both accomplished leaders at IRI and within the retirement income industry and IRI will be well-served by their continued tenure with enhanced responsibility,” Chopus said.